The U.S. Navy orders 200 Wasp engines—Pratt & Whitney’s first production order. The Wasp soon becomes the dominant engine on Navy and Army Air Force fighter planes. The first production engine was shipped on December 17, 1926.

1926

Pratt & Whitney begins development of a more powerful engine, the Hornet—initially rated at 525 horsepower and weight of 750 pounds.

1927

The world becomes a much smaller place when William Boeing installs Pratt & Whitney’s new Wasp engines in his Model 40A mail planes, boosting power and reducing weight—allowing the planes to carry passengers as well as mail.

Pratt & Whitney becomes part of United Aircraft & Transport Corporation, which includes such industry leaders as Boeing, Chance Vought, Sikorsky, Hamilton Standard, and a group of carriers that would become United Airlines.

1929

Pratt & Whitney crosses the Connecticut River, from Capitol Avenue in Hartford to a new home in East Hartford.